Fewer children were offered their first choice high school in Ealing this year. A total of 69 per cent got their number one school compared to 70.3 per cent in 2010.

However the Council say almost nine out of 10 Ealing children have been offered a place at one of their top three high schools. And they say seven out of 10 have been offered a place at their preferred school.

The council has made 3,185 offers and every Ealing child that applied on time has been offered a place.

Councillor Patricia Walker, cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: “Starting high school is a major milestone in a child’s life and I would like to send my best wishes to all of our students.

"Ealing has lots of good schools to choose from and I am very pleased that we have been able to offer so many children one of their top three preferences."

Parents who have not received an offer from their preferred school are advised to accept the school they have been offered and to contact the council’s admissions service to discuss being placed on the waiting list.

Families of students who are due to start high school in September 2011 and who have not yet applied for a school place, should contact the School Admissions service on 020 8825 5522 immediately.